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Prepositions after verbs

How to use prepositions with 'score'

The verb 'score' combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean getting points, achieving results, criticizing, or succeeding in a subject.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with 'score'

Use 'score in' for subjects or areas, 'score on' for tests or rating systems, and 'score with' for success with a person or group. 'Score for' usually means getting a point for a team. 'Score at' is uncommon as a direct verb pattern and is more often part of a place phrase such as 'score at home'.

She scored highly in mathematics.
He scored 92 percent on the exam.
The striker scored twice for Brazil.
That joke scored well with the audience.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
score in + subject or area

Talking about success in a field

Use 'score in' when referring to performance in a subject, skill area, or category.

Students scored well in science.
The company scored highly in customer satisfaction.
2
score on + test or scale

Giving a result or rating

Use 'score on' for exams, surveys, rankings, or measurement systems.

She scored 88 on the final test.
The hotel scored poorly on cleanliness.
3
score for + team

Getting points for a side

Use 'score for' when a player gets points or goals for a team or country.

He scored the winning goal for his club.
She has scored five times for Canada.
4
score with + person or audience

Making a positive impression

Use 'score with' to mean becoming popular or successful with someone.

The campaign scored strongly with younger voters.
His presentation scored well with the judges.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
score in
The class scored highly in reading.
successful performance in a subject or category
score on
She scored 95 on the test.
a result measured on an exam or scale
score for
The captain scored for the national team.
get points or goals for a side
score with
The new product scored with customers.
be successful or popular with someone
score at
The team scored twice at home.
'at' usually introduces a place, not a fixed pattern after 'score'

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using 'score at' as a general result pattern

English normally uses 'score on' for exams and tests.

✕ She scored 90 at the exam. ✓ She scored 90 on the exam.

Confusing 'score for' and 'score with'

'Score for' relates to teams; 'score with' relates to people or audiences.

✕ The comedian scored for the audience. ✓ The comedian scored with the audience.

Missing the object after 'score for'

The phrase usually names the team or side.

✕ He scored for. ✓ He scored for Spain.

Using 'score in' for a specific test

Use 'on' with named exams or assessments.

✕ I scored well in the driving test. ✓ I scored well on the driving test.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She scored 87 ___ the entrance exam.
2. The striker scored twice ___ the national team.
3. The proposal scored well ___ investors.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say 'score in an exam'?

Some speakers use it informally, but 'score on an exam' is more standard English.

What does 'score with someone' mean?

It means to make a good impression or achieve success with a person or group.

Is 'score at' correct?

'At' is usually part of a separate place expression such as 'score at home', not a standard verb-preposition pattern.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

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